Openness lacking in all of government

Regarding the March 16 op-ed by San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez, (“San Diegans have right to transparent government”), I agree with him. We absolutely need more government transparency at all levels.

Sure wish he would send his comments on to all other government agencies. The California State Assembly certainly has been questioned regarding numerous closed-door policies. At the federal level, we’re still waiting on full disclosure regarding the Benghazi embassy attack, the IRS scandal on targeting tea party groups, as well as the failure of the presidential administration to fully disclose how much and when it became aware of the inconsistencies regarding the Affordable Care Act.

The public has the right to promptly know what is going on because all agencies function only by spending taxpayer dollars.

Cynthia Spiers

San Diego

Misconception over using desal water

Desalination is not cheap and it does consume substantial grid power, when it is on the scale of 50 million gallons-per-day. Are proponents of desal ready to pay the price?

The cost of desal is estimated to be two to three times as expensive as reclaiming municipal waste water, which is generally dumped into the Pacific Ocean after mega bucks were spent treating it to EPA standards. We are wasting a precious resource in favor of desal.

We didn’t (yet) need desalination, when we had a ready resource — recycled water. It doesn’t even have to be toilet-to-tap. Ag and landscaping would be a great use to offset our Southland consumption. The desal plant is one of those misconceptions bureaucrats bought into so a venture-capitalist corporation could bilk the public (with our eyes open).

G. Lance Johannsen

Carlsbad

Don’t pile more burdens on employers

It would be difficult for me to disagree more with letter writer who says we should not “blame the Mexicans illegally crossing the border as if they are criminals,” and then calls for the prosecution of employers because “they are responsible for the problem” (“Employers’ role in illegal immigration,” March 17).

Notwithstanding the fact that, by definition, committing an “illegal” act is “criminal,” when did every employer in America become an appointed immigration officer? Should we not have jobs in this country because illegal border crossers may desire them? As every employer in America knows, there are already onerous burdens and penalties in place that discourage employers from hiring many legal workers.

Ruby Barker

San Diego

Barking dogs signify lack of care

Regarding the letter, “Why do owners let dogs bark nonstop?” (March 16), if they were truly “dog lovers” they would understand that outside dogs bark when bored, agitated, underexercised or uncomfortable.

Please do not have a dog unless you are willing to provide stimulation, exercise, companionship, attention and shelter from the elements.

Angel Freeze

Chula Vista

Untrained dogs

My heart goes out to the letter writer (March 16) on barking dogs. I lived in Clairemont for 13 years and could not understand why neighbors left dogs in fenced yards to bark day and night. These animals are lonely yet owners claim to “love” them. If they even “liked” their dogs they would train them and spend time with them. If an untrained barking dog needs to be placed back in a shelter it is unlikely to be successfully placed in a new home. Animal shelters should offer free dog training services, which might reduce the number of incessant barking dogs and the number of dogs abandoned by owners.